• Says Party in talks with several potential candidates

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna's (SLPP) National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa yesterday (21) claimed that the SLPP's presidential candidate will be someone capable of settling the country's debt without selling off ‘national resources’.

With the Presidential Election scheduled in a few months, opinions within the SLPP are divided. Some SLPP members express a willingness to support the SLPP-backed current President and United National Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, while others have expressed the view that the SLPP should field a separate candidate.

With many fractions within the SLPP opining different views, there has been no clarity on if the SLPP will pick either Rajapaksa or if MP and businessman Dhammika Perera will be the SLPP's presidential candidate.

In response to media queries regarding the SLPP's presidential candidate, Rajapaksa said that neither Wickremesinghe, Perera, nor he have officially informed the SLPP of their intent to contest in the Presidential Election.

"The SLPP will decide on its presidential candidate at the right time. That candidate will be someone who can settle the country's debt without selling off national resources.” He also mentioned that the SLPP is currently in discussions with several individuals who are seeking presidential candidacy.

Several leading political parties have already hinted at the candidates who would possibly be fielded by them for the Presidential Election. Among them are; Wickremesinghe, Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa, and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-led National People's Power Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.